Phoenix man arrested for shooting death of girlfriend’s brother

PHOENIX – A suspect was charged with first-degree murder in the shooting death of his girlfriend’s brother in north Phoenix on Monday.

According to the police report, 20-year-old Ethaniel Isaiah Anselmo allegedly fired 24 shots from a handgun at a parked Jeep with 21-year-old Jeffrey O’Connell in the driver’s seat.

Phoenix police officers responded to a call of shots fired at near 19th Avenue and Union Hills Drive at around 6:20 p.m. and located Anselmo, who put his hands on his head and went to his knees.

Witnesses identified Anselmo as the perpetrator of the shooting, the report said.

O’Connell had multiple gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead at the scene, and Anselmo was taken into custody.

Evidence indicated that Anselmo walked toward the vehicle while firing, until he was at the driver-side door.

In addition to the murder count, Anselmo was charged with aggravated assault with a dangerous instrument and discharging a firearm at a residence.

The incident occurred in front of a house near 19th Avenue and Union Hills Drive while a family was inside watching television. Occupants of the house told police they lied on top of their 19-month-old daughter to protect her when they heard the shooting.

Investigators examined the cellphone of the victim’s sister and found a text message exchange with Anselmo, according to the report. In it, Anselmo said he was going to kill O’Connell, and O’Connell’s sister said he should fight him instead.

A later message from Anselmo said he’d killed O’Connell.

No information about a possible motive was released.

A Maricopa County Superior Court judge set bond for Anselmo at $1 million. A status conference was scheduled for Aug. 14 and a preliminary hearing for Aug. 17.

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